Install Joomla 5

Now that you’ve set up hosting (or are ready to test locally), it’s time to install Joomla 5 and start building your website. Whether you’re creating a blog, an online store, an e-learning platform, or a membership site, this beginner-friendly tutorial will guide you through installing Joomla 5 in three ways: a one-click install using cPanel, a manual install for more control, and a local install using XAMPP on your Windows or macOS computer. If you’ve used WordPress, think of this as setting up the CMS, just like installing WordPress with one-click or manual methods.

Where to Download Joomla 5

To install Joomla 5, you need the official software package. I always download it from the official Joomla website to ensure it’s safe and up-to-date. Visit downloads.joomla.org, click the “Download Joomla” button, and save the ZIP file (e.g., Joomla_5.x.x-Stable-Full_Package.zip) to your computer. This file contains everything needed to run Joomla 5 on your hosting server or local machine.

Confirming System Requirements

Before installing Joomla 5, you need to make sure your hosting server or local computer meets its technical needs. Don’t worry, I’ll explain this in simple terms, like checking if your phone has enough space for a new app. Joomla 5 needs the following:

• PHP: Version 8.1 or higher. This is like the engine that powers Joomla, similar to WordPress’s PHP requirement.
• Database: MySQL 8.0.13+ or MariaDB 10.4+. This is where Joomla stores your website’s content, like pages and posts.
• Web Server: Apache, Nginx, or Microsoft IIS. Most hosts use Apache.

Your web host should list these details in their control panel or support pages. For local installs on your computer (using XAMPP), we’ll set this up later. If you’re unsure about your host, check out my blog post, How to Find the Best Web Host in 2025, for tips on choosing a Joomla-friendly host.

Optimizing Server Settings

To make Joomla 5 run smoothly, your server needs a few settings tweaked, like adjusting your computer’s settings for a new game. Here’s what I recommend, based on Joomla’s requirements:

1. memory_limit: At least 256MB. This gives Joomla enough memory to handle tasks.
2. upload_max_filesize: At least 32MB. This lets you upload images or extensions.
3. post_max_size: At least 32MB. This handles data sent to your site, like form submissions.
4. max_execution_time: Recommended 30 seconds. This gives Joomla enough time to process tasks.
5. allow_url_fopen: Set to “true.” This allows Joomla to access external files, like updates.

Most hosts meet these settings by default, but you can check or adjust them in your hosting control panel (like cPanel) under “PHP Settings” or ask your host’s support team. For local XAMPP installs, I’ll explain how to set these later.

How to Install Joomla 5

I’ll walk you through three ways to install Joomla 5: a quick one-click install using cPanel, a manual install for more control, and a local install using XAMPP. Choose the method that suits your needs!

1.Method 1: One-Click Installation with cPanel

One-click installation is the easiest way to get Joomla 5 running, like installing an app on your phone. Most hosts, like the one I use (see my hosting guide), offer this through cPanel. If you’ve installed WordPress with "one click", this is similar. Here’s how:

1. Log in to cPanel: Access your hosting account and find cPanel (your host provides login details).
2. Find Softaculous or Installatron: Look for a “Softaculous Apps Installer” or similar tool in cPanel.
3. Select Joomla: Search for Joomla, click it, and choose “Install Now.”
4. Fill in Details: Choose your domain (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com), set an admin username and password, and pick a site name. Leave other settings as default for now.
5. Install: Click “Install” and wait a few minutes. You’ll get an admin URL (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com/administrator).
6. Check Your Site: Visit your domain to see your Joomla site, and log in to the admin area to start building.

2.Method 2: Manual Installation

Manual installation gives you more control, like setting up a custom gaming PC instead of buying a pre-built one. It’s great for learning how Joomla works or for complex sites like e-learning or membership platforms. WordPress users who’ve done manual installs will find this familiar. Here’s how I do it:

1. Create a Database: In cPanel, go to “MySQL Databases,” create a new database (e.g., “myDataBase”). As the administrator, your user account with your host should automatically be assigned to this database (DB). For naming a DB, you have flexibility here.
2. Upload Joomla Files: Unzip the Joomla 5 ZIP file you downloaded. Use cPanel’s “File Manager” or an FTP tool (like FileZilla) to upload the files to your domain’s root folder (usually “public_html”). To unzip the Joomla file, double-click it and click on the first item to highlight it and then use your FTP program.
3. Run the Installer: Visit your domain (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com) in a browser. Joomla’s installer will start. Enter your database details (name, user, password), site name, and admin login.
4. Complete Setup: Follow the prompts to finish. Delete the “installation” folder via File Manager when prompted for security.
5. Check Your Site: Visit your domain and log in to the admin area (www.yourwebsite.com/administrator).

Manual installation takes about 15–30 minutes, but it helps you understand Joomla’s setup, which is useful for troubleshooting or customizing later.

3.Method 3: Local Installation with XAMPP

Do you want to learn and test Joomla 5 on your computer before going live? XAMPP lets you run Joomla locally on Windows or macOS, like a practice site. It’s great for experimenting with blogs, e-commerce, or e-learning setups because it's like having your own private web host. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Download XAMPP: Go to www.apachefriends.org and download XAMPP for Windows or macOS. Install it following the prompts.
2. Start XAMPP: Open the XAMPP Control Panel and start (1) Apache (web server) and the (2) MySQL (database). On macOS, use the XAMPP manager.
3. Create a Database: With your XAMPP open, click on the "Admin" button to the right of MySQL, and then create a new database (e.g., “joomla5”).
4. Install Joomla Files: Unzip the Joomla 5 ZIP file. Copy the files to XAMPP’s “htdocs” folder (e.g., C:\xampp\htdocs\joomla5 on Windows, or /Applications/XAMPP/htdocs/joomla5 on macOS).
5. Run the Installer: In your browser, go to: localhost/joomla5 (if you named your site joomla5) and follow the Joomla installer, entering “localhost” as the database host, your database name, and a username (usually “root” with no password for XAMPP).
6. Test Your Site: Visit your website after you've installed Joomla. You can also log into your site's administrative area at: localhost/joomla5/administrator

For XAMPP, set the PHP settings (like memory_limit to 256MB) in the “php.ini” file (e.g., C:\xampp\php\php.ini on Windows). Search for each setting (e.g., “memory_limit”), update the values as listed above, and restart Apache.

XAMPP Documentation: If you want to follow comprehensive information and tutorials for XAMPP on Windows, visit their docs.

Extract The Joomla Files

Your method of unzipping (extracting) files might be a bit different from mine because I use an app called "WinRAR". There are others available, such as the popular "WinZIP".

Install Joomla on XAMPP

After you get XAMPP installed and launched on your computer and create a database, now it's time to install Joomla!

Using the Official Joomla Installer

Whether you’re using a one-click install with cPanel or a manual install, Joomla 5’s official installer guides you through setting up your website. If you’ve used WordPress’s installer, this is similar—it’s like filling out a form to get your site ready. For one-click installs (like Softaculous), most of these steps are done automatically, but you can still customize settings. For manual installs, you’ll follow these steps in your browser after uploading files. Here’s how I set it up, step-by-step, to create any website, from blogs to e-learning or membership sites:

1. Start the Installation

Open your browser and in the address bar, type in the address where your website is going to be located. This will be where your Joomla files were uploaded. If you are doing this on your live hosted location, you will use https://www.yoursitename.com. If you are installing Joomla locally on XAMPP, you will use http://localhost/<path to website> to continue.

2. Set Up Login Data

Next, create your admin account—the keys to your Joomla site, like a WordPress admin login. Enter your name (e.g., “Admin”), a username (e.g., “siteadmin”—avoid “admin” for security), a strong password, and your email address. This lets you log in to the admin panel (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com/administrator) to manage your site. If using Softaculous, these details might be pre-filled, but you can change them. Click “Setup Database Configuration” to move on.

3. Configure the Database

Joomla needs a database to store your content, like pages or e-learning courses. Enter the database details you set up earlier (for manual installs in cPanel’s “MySQL Databases” or XAMPP’s phpMyAdmin). Use these settings:

• Database Type: Usually MySQLi or MySQL (choose MySQLi if available).
• Host Name: Often “localhost” (or a specific host for your provider in manual installs).
• Database Name: The name you created (e.g., “joomla5”).
• Username: The database user you set up (e.g., “joomlauser”).
• Password: The user’s password.
• Table Prefix: Leave as default (e.g., “jos_”) or choose a random prefix for security.

For Softaculous, these are often auto-filled. Double-check the details, then click “Install Joomla” to proceed.

4. Finish the Installation

Once Joomla is installed, you’ll see a success screen! For manual installs, you must delete the “installation” folder for security—use cPanel’s File Manager or an FTP tool like FileZilla to remove the “installation” folder from your server’s root (usually “public_html”). The installer may prompt you to do this. For one-click installs, Softaculous often handles this automatically. Click “Administrator” to visit your admin panel (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com/administrator) or “Site” to see your new Joomla 5 website. Log in with your admin credentials to start building!

If all went well, you should be able to visit the front of your site, or you can log into your administration area. 

Important: If you visit the front of your website or the admin area and you get an error message, this means your Installation files were not removed. Normally, when using the installer, there is a button that deletes these files. If they still exist, you will need to go to where your Joomla website files are and delete the installation folder. 

Why Choose the Right Installation Method?

Each method suits different needs. One-click is fastest, like WordPress’s quick installs. Manual installation offers control, ideal for learning, complex sites, or when you want to ensure it gets installed correctly. XAMPP is perfect for testing ideas locally, and it's how I do it for my own website(s). If you are just starting to learn Joomla, I recommend the XAMPP method, just to get familiar with it and to learn how to use Joomla.

What’s Next?

In my next tutorial, I’ll show you how to navigate the Joomla admin panel to start creating content for your website.

Continue to the Next Tutorial: Joomla 5 Home Dashboard

Help Improve this Tutorial! Do you have suggestions to make this tutorial better? Please contact me with your ideas!